201 dead, many trapped in Turkish coal mine

Published on May 14, 2014 9:50 am

Rescuers struggled to reach more than 200 miners trapped underground early Wednesday after an explosion and fire at a coal mine in western Turkey killed at least 201 workers, authorities said, in one of the worst mining disasters in Turkish history.Miners carry a rescued friend after an explosion and fire at a coal mine. (Source: AP)

Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said 787 people were inside the coal mine in Soma, some 250 kilometers (155 miles) south of Istanbul, at the time of the accident and 363 of them had been rescued so far. Miners carry a rescued friend after an explosion and fire at a coal mine. (Source: AP)

At least 80 miners were injured, including four who were in serious condition, Yildiz told reporters in Soma, as he oversaw the rescue operation involving more than 400 rescuers.Miners help a rescued friend hours after an explosion and fire at a coal mine. (Source: AP)

The accident occurred when the workers were preparing for a shift change, officials said, which likely raised the casualty toll because there were more miners inside the mine than usual.Miners carry a rescued friend after an explosion and fire at a coal mine. (Source: AP)

Yildiz said the deaths were caused by carbon monoxide poisoning and feared the death toll could end up much higher than the latest count of 201 workers.Miners carefully carrying a rescued friend hours after an explosion and fire at a coal mine. (Source: AP)

The rescue effort is "reaching a critical stage,'' Yildiz said, with more deaths likely as time passes.Miners carry a rescued friend after an explosion and fire at a coal mine. (Source: AP)

Earlier, the minister said the rescue operations were hindered because the mine had not completely been cleared of gas. An injured miner is carried into a hospital in Soma. (Source: Reuters)

Authorities say the disaster followed an explosion and fire caused by a power distribution unit. Nurettin Akcul, a mining trade union leader, told HaberTurk television that Turkey was likely facing its worst mining accident ever. Medics, family members and friends wait outside a hospital hours after an explosion and fire at a coal mine. (Source: AP)

"Time is working against us. We fear that the numbers could rise further,'' Yildiz said. "We have to finish this (rescue operation) by dawn. I have to say that our pain, our trouble could increase.'' Miners work to rescue their friends hours after an explosion and fire at a coal mine. (Source: AP)

Earlier Yildiz said some of the workers were 420 meters (460 yards) deep inside the mine. News reports said the workers could not use lifts to get out of the mine because the explosion had caused a power cut. Family members cry as they wait outside a hospital hours after an explosion and fire at a coal mine. (Source: AP)

Television footage showed people cheering and applauding as some trapped workers emerged out of the mine, helped by rescuers, their faces and hard-hats covered in soot. One wiped away tears on his jacket, another smiled, waved and flashed a "thumbs up'' sign at onlookers. Relatives of miners who are trapped in a coal mine wait in front of a hospital in Soma. (Source: Reuters)